Release International

Christians in Dutse have been told their homes and places of worship are to be relocated to the bush outside their city after riots destroyed at least 16 churches.

Church leaders are describing as 'apartheid' the segregation plan which was announced after violence erupted in the capital city of Jigawa state three weeks ago.

The rioting started when a Christian tailor named Jummai got into an argument with a Muslim customer and allegedly blasphemed Mohammed. It also came amid rising tensions over the Pope's remarks about Islam in Germany the previous week.

Dutse was soon in uproar. On September 20, mobs attacked churches and looted properties owned by Christians. At least 16 churches were destroyed, six people injured and some 2,000 Christians made homeless.

Bishop Yusuf Ibrahim Lumu, his wife and three children narrowly escaped being attacked by a mob who burned down St Peter's Anglican Cathedral and their home. The family had been evacuated by police just minutes before.

Not long after the violence had subsided, the Jigawa Governor Ibrahim Saminu Turaki told Christian leaders about government plans to relocate Christians outside the city. They would be given 'virgin land' in the bush for new homes and churches, he said. Jigawa adopted Sharia or Islamic law in 2000.

Bishop Lumu described the move as a 'holy war' against Christians. 'Jihad is not only fighting wars,' he told Compass Direct. 'It also includes banning the building of churches, destruction of churches and persecuting Christians by whatever means.'

• Pray for Christians in Dutse city who are living in fear after recent violence. Pray particularly for the safety of Jummai, the tailor, whose whereabouts are unknown.
• Pray that the authorities' plans to segregate Christians from Muslims would fail. Pray instead that bridges can be built between the two faith communities.

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